Waves sweep coastal village in Cebu

CEBU CITY—Big waves spawned by Typhoon “Pablo” on Tuesday night destroyed the sea wall and 17 houses and damaged seven government offices in Boljoon town, about 100 km south of this city.

The typhoon also displaced at least 300 persons — among them residents of the 17 houses that were washed out by big waves in the coastal village of Poblacion, Boljoon.

The others were residents who were forced to leave their homes in anticipation of the storm that placed southern Cebu under storm signal number 3 on Tuesday.

The evacuees were temporarily housed inside the church, private school and covered court in Sitio (subvillage) Talisay, Barangay (village) Poblacion.

Boljoon Municipal Planning Officer Engr. Corazon Medida said the surge of big waves occurred at 7:30 p.m. which lasted for at least 30 minutes. She added smaller waves continued at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The big waves made some residents think that a tsunami had hit the town. A listener of radio station dyLA sent a text, asking if there was a tsunami alert because the town’s seawall had collapsed and some houses were washed out.

Medida said the seawall at the town’s baywalk was destroyed after its riprap collapsed.

The strong waves entered the different offices in the municipal hall, which is located near the sea, she added.

The back portion of the municipal hall was affected, including the offices of the social welfare, budget, treasurer, engineering, planning and civil registry as well as the police station.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director Patrocino Comendador said Boljoon policemen had to transfer to another area after seawater entered the police station.

Medida said some documents were damaged by water but they were able to save these since some personnel had reported for work.

But the 17 houses in Sitio Talisay were destroyed by the waves since these were made of light materials, said Medida.

She said most of the occupants failed to save their belongings.

One man, she added tried to get some of his belongings but was almost swept by the waves. Fortunately, the man was saved.